Method and apparatus for producing cigarette filter sleeves

ABSTRACT

In a method of producing cigarette filter sleeves, a paper tape is moved at constant velocity and spaced, single or double, filters are placed and adhesively fixed to the tape. Once the filters have been fixed to the tape the tape is wrapped, with the exception of a projecting edge portion of the tape, around successive filters using an endless moulding belt to feed the tape. An adhesive is then applied to the projecting edge portion, which is closed to form a continuous sleeve. The continuous sleeve is cut into individual cigarette filter sleeves.

United States Patent 1191 Brodbeck et a1. Aug. 13, 1974 [54] METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR 2,597,720 31952 Gamble 93/1 c E FIL R 3,345,917 1967 Agett et a1. 93/1 c CIGAR TTE TE 3,357,320 12/1967 Sexstone et a1 93/1 C 3,370,514 2/1968 Rome 93/77 FT [75] Inventors: Helmut Brodbeck; Hans Haller, 3,482,488 12/1969 Sexstone 93/] C both of Trossingen Germany Brodeck C X [73] Assignee: Efka-Werke Fritz Kiehn GmbH, Primary Examiner R0y Lake TmsSmgen/Wurtt" Germany Assistant Examiner-James F. Coan [22] Fi1ed: May 19, 1972 Attorney, Agent, or FirmMurray Schaffer [21] Appl. No.: 255,107

[57] ABSTRACT 30 Foreign Application Priority Data In a methofl of p g g 9 g t e filter sleeves: paper tape is move at constant ve ocity an space May 21, 1971 Germany 2125118 Single or d ub e ters re placed a adhesi ely fixed to the tape. Once the filters have been fixed to [52] Cl 93/1 g? 2 0 the tape the tape is wrapped, with the exception of a [51 1 Int Cl 5/50 projecting edge portion of the tape, around successive 58] Fieid 1 56/548 filters using an endless moulding belt to feed the tape. 56/552 An adhesive is then applied to the projecting edge portion, which is closed to form a continuous sleeve. [56] References Cited The continuous sleeve is cut into individual cigarette UNITED STATES PATENTS 5/1930 -Mo1ins 156/548 X filter sleeves.

28 Claims, 12 Drawing Figures PATENTED AUG 1 3 I974 SHEEI 1 0F 4 PAIENIED AUG 1 31914 saw u 0F 4 BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to a method of producing cigarette filter sleeves (i.e., paper tubes for receiving cigarette tabacco, with a filter at one end) with a paper tape. The tape can be moved at constant velocity and having a width corresponding approximately to the sleeve circumference, tip-covering sections being adhesively fixed at uniformly spaced positions on the outside of the tape and the inside beingprovided, opposite to the tip-covering sections, with adhesive positions for single or double filters which are placed and adhesively fixed in batches by means of a feed device.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a method of producing cigarette filter sleeves, including feeding a paper tape (preferably at constant velocity, the tape normally having a width approximately equal to the circumference of the tube),

adhering filters (double or single) to one side of the tape at uniformly spaced positions therealong (preferably by making uniformly spaced applications of adhesive to the inside of the tape and then applying and fixing the filters, suitably by means of a feed device; if desired, tip-covering sections may previously have been adhered to the other side of the tape, opposite the filters),

using wrapping means including an endless, circulating moulding belt to feed the tape, which wrapping means wrap the tape around successive filters with the exception of a (preferably upright) projecting edge portion of the tape,

applying an adhesive to the projecting edgeportion,

closing the edge portion in to form a continuous tubular sleeve (and preferably thereafter passing the continuous tubular sleeve through a drying or setting device to dry or set the adhesive), and

cutting the continuous tubular sleeve into individual cigarette filter sleeves.

Using the invention, the operating speed can be increased, so that filter sleeves are obtained at a larger output per unit time, without gross complication of the. method of operation and construction of the apparatus required.

The filters may be adhered to the tape by drawing them from a supply container by means of air at subatmospheric pressure, conveying them to the paper tape in axially adjacent relationship by means of air at superatmospheric pressure, and applying them to the tape at uniformly spaced positions.

If the filters adhered to the tape are single filters, the continuous sleeve may be cut at the end of each filter, whereas if the filters adhered to the tape are double filters, the continuous sleeve may be cut in the middle of each filter. The speed of the cutting device can be identical to the conveying speed of the continuous tubular sleeve during the cutting operation and its return can be performed at accelerated speed.

The method can be carried out on apparatus in accordance with the invention, which apparatus includes means for feeding a paper tape,

means for adhering filters to one side of the tape at uniformly spaced positions therealong,

means for wrapping the tape around the successive filters with the exception of a projecting edge portion of the tape, the wrapping means including an endless, circulating moulding belt for feeding the tape and means for driving the moulding belt,

means for applying an adhesive to the projecting edge portion,

means for closing the edge portion in to form a continuous tubular sleeve, and

means for cutting the continuous tubular sleeve into individual cigarette filter sleeves.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS The invention will be further described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a general, diagrammatic elevation showing the construction of apparatus and a method in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 shows a filter feed device with a gluing station for the position at which the filters are adhered;

FIG. 3 shows a closing device with a gluing disc, seam shaper, seam smoother and drying chamber as well as the moulding belt, as a diagrammatic plan view;

FIG. 4 is a section along the line lV-IV of FIG. 3, on an enlarged scale;

FIG. 5 is a plan view of the gluing disc of FIG. 3, on an enlarged scale;

FIG. 5a is a section along the line Va--Va of FIG. 3, on an enlarged scale;

FIG. 6 is a section along the line IV-IV of FIG. 3, on an enlarged scale;

FIG. 6ais a section along the line VlaVIa of FIG.

FIG. 7 is a section along the line VlI--Vll of FIG. 3, on an enlarged scale;

FIG. 7a is a section along the line Vlla-Vlla of FIG.

FIG. 8 is a section along the line VIII-VIII of FIG. 3, on an enlarged scale; and

FIG. 9 shows the cutting and grading device, as a diagrammatic elevation.

DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION The path of the filter paper tape 11 and the individual process steps are disclosed in a simplified general view shown in FIG. 1.

The filter paper tape 11 is drawn off a supply drum 12 at uniform velocity by a plurality of pairs of feed rollers 14, l5, l6 and 17, the supply drum 12 being controlled by a band brake 13. The tape 11 is also retained and guided in guides 18 and 19. Tip covering pieces if employed, are adhesively attached to the filter paper tape 11 at distances equivalent to a cigarette length in a tip covering device 20 of known construction.

After leaving the tip covering device 20, the filter paper tape 11 passes through a printing mechanism 21 and through the guide 19 via the gluing station 22 to a feed unit 23 for filters 24. The gluing station is adjusted so that an adhesive position for a filter 24 is provided precisely on that side of the filter paper tape 11 which is disposed opposite to a tip covering piece.

The filter paper tape 11 is then taken up by a moulding belt 25, and together therewith passes through a closing device 32 with a gluing mechanism 26 and a drying chamber 27 in which the flat filter paper tape 11 with the tip covering piece and the filter 24 is rolled to form a tubular filter sleeve 28'and is adhesively joined.

The individual cigarette filter sleeves 30 are cut off from the tubular filter sleeve 28 in a cutting device 29 and are supplied to a magazine through a grading device 31 which orientates the sleeves (see FIG. 9).

Details of the method of production of the cigarette filter sleeve 30 and of the devices required to this end will be described and explained hereinbelow.

The band brake 13 is provided to ensure uniform drawoff of the filter paper tape 11 from'the supply drum 12. The paid off filter paper tape 11 is decelerated by means of a brake band 33 and any overrun of the tape 11 is prevented by the said brake when the machine is stopped. The brake force of the brake band 33 is defined by the pay-off velocity of the filter paper tape. Regulation is obtained by means of a pivotable compensating roller 34 which transmits the filter paper tape pull through gear wheels 35, a cord drive 36 and a brake lever 37 on to the brake band 33 which is accordingly released or tensioned.

In this way the filter paper tape 11 also passes at constant velocity through the feed device 23 so that the filters 24 are delivered and adhesively fixed at uniform distances on the prepared adhesive positions.

As shown in FIG. 2, the individual cut filters 24 of double length pass from a vibratory through conveyor 38 into a guide tube 39 which is constructed as a transparent plastics hose. In the embodiment shown, this is done in such a way that a plurality of radial air inlet apertures 40, disposed at an acute angle, are situated adjacent the inlet position 41. The inlet position itself is constructed in the form of an ejector. If compressed air flows through the radially disposed air inlet ports 40, a vacuum will be produced in the zone of the inlet position 41 to result in accelerated feed of the filters 24. Excess air may escape from the ports 42 to atmosphere. The remaining compressed air conveys the filters 24 to the feed unit 23 where the filters, abutting axially against each other, bear upon a stop abutment surface 43 due to having air blown axially upon them.

The feed unit 23 substantially comprises of a wheel 44, having two drivers 45, offset by 180 relative to each other, disposed on its periphery. The appropriate filter 24 which bears on the stop abutment surface 43 is pushed, by a tappet 46, in front of the aforementioned drivers 45 of the wheel 44 in which rotates constantly in accordance with the conveying speed of the filter paper tape 11. The succeeding filter first bears upon the tappet 46 and is then moved in front of the stop abutment surface 43 after the tappetreturns into its upper starting position. I

The periphery of the wheel 44 is also provided with a circumferential groove 47 into which a stripper 48 projects in the zone of the placing position. This ensures that the filters 24 are correctly delivered on the prepared adhesive position of the filter paper tape 11. Furthermore, the clear distance between the underside of the stripper 48 and the filter paper tape 11 is somewhat less than the filter diameter so that the filters 24,

are firmly thrust upon the adhesive position and slipping of the said filters during the conveying motion is prevented. To this end the filter paper tape bears on the support 49.

A spring-biased, pivotable arm 50 of a thrusting unit extends upstream of the placing position into the path of motion of the filters 24 which are conveyed by the wheel 44; the thrusting unit ensures that the filter 24 beats flush on the driver 45 at the moment at which the filter is placed on the filter paper tape 11. To this end, the arm 50 brushes lightly over the passing filter 24 and as a result of friction draws said filter against the driver 45.

FIG. 2 also shows the gluing station 22 which operates in co-ordination with the conveying speed of the filter paper tape 11 and applies to the filter paper tape 11 the adhesive positions for the filters 24 brought in by the feeder unit 23, at uniform intervals precisely on the opposite side of the tip covering pieces. To this end a pivotable, spring-biased roller 51 functions as abutment.

After leaving the feed unit, the filter paper tape 11 with the filters 24 adhesively fixed thereon is taken up by the moulding belt 25 by bearing flat against said belt, and is fed to the closing device 32 (FIG. 3).

The moulding belt 25 is constructed as an endless belt and runs over a pulley 52 and a drum 53 as well as a belt tensioner 54. The diameter of the drum 53 is adjustable so that the circumferential speed of the drum 53 and therefore the moulding belt speed may be adapted to the conveying speed of the filter paper tape 11. This also ensures that uniform pull is applied to the filter paper tape 11 and the formation of loops between the last pair of feed rollers 17 and the beginning of the moulding belt 25 is prevented. The correct moulding belt speed is tested by measuring the cigarette filter sleeve length and the diameter of the drum 53 is appropriately altered in the event of any deviations of the said sleeve length.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 4, the closing device 32 comprises a moulding part 55 with a duct 59 of circular cross section which is open at the top and a flared mouth-piece into which the moulding belt 25 runs together with the filter paper tape 11 and is initially rolled through approximately The flared, funnel-shaped mouthpiece functions as a guide for the filter paper vtape and prevents the same being damaged. The

moulding part 55 is adjoined by a presser strip 56 which is slightly longer than the length of one filter sleeve. The edge of the presser strip 56 nearest to the filter paper tape 11 is inclined to converge in the conveying direction so that it is just able to engage the incoming filter 24 but thrusts progressively against the moulding belt 25 to ensure reliable entrainment of the filter paper tape 11 by the moulding belt 25. The lower edge of the presser strip 56 is polished to a high lustre in order to minimise the effect of friction.

While the filter p per tape 11, at that stage rolled approximately into a U-shape, passes by the presser strip 56, it is completely folded around the filters 24 by a strip 57. The upper edge of the other side which remains upright is passed by a gluing disc 58 of the gluing mechanism 24 and is continuously provided with an application of glue.

In order to obtain a neat glue application, the gluing disc 58 is constructed in frusto-conical form and has a narrow, strip-shaped ring of glue only in the middle of its periphery. The upper longitudinal edge of the filter paper tape 11 is pressed against the ring of glue by means of a pivotable, spring-biased thrust unit 60 (FIGS. 5 and 5a).

diameter of the tubular filter sleeve 28 may thus be varied. The inlet 66 of the seam shaper 61 is flared in order to ensure reliable folding of the upright longitudinal edge.

A seam smoother 67 is disposed downstream of the seam shaper 61 in order to achieve a smooth, fold-free and straight adhesive seam (FIGS. 7 and 7a). The seam smoother 67 has a half shell 68 disposed in the conveying direction and adapted to support and guide the tubular filter sleeve 28 and the moulding belt 25. A pivotable and vertically adjustable arm 69 formed of a leaf spring, is disposed at an acute angle relative to the tubular sleeve 28 above the half shell 68.

The front end of the arm 69 is bent into the shape of a scoop, is adapted to the round shape of the tubular sleeve 28 and bears with slight pressure on the adhesive seam of the tubular sleeve 28. Owing to the forward motion of the tube 28, the arm 69 brushes over the adhesive seam and presses it together while at the same time smoothing it. The contact pressure of the arm 69 may be regulated with an adjusting screw 70.

The tubular filter sleeve 28 subsequently passes through a drying chamber 27 for the purpose of drying and curing the adhesive. The drying chamber consists of two half shells 71 and 72, aligned with the conveying direction, the upper shell in the embodiment shown being vertically adjustable by means of screws 73 to provide adaptation to the diameter of the tubular sleeve. Furthermore, the upper half shell 71 has an extension in which a heating cartridge 90 is accommodated. The temperature of the drying chamber 27 is manually adjustable and may be automatically regulated within a specific temperature range by means of a temperature regulator.

After leaving the drying chamber 27, the tubular filter sleeve 28 is once again released by the moulding belt and passes to the cutting device (FIG. 9) in which the tubular filter sleeve 28 is cut into individual filter sleeves 30. Double filters are used in the embodiment shown so that the cuts are made alternately on the one hand in the middle of the filter and on the other hand in the middle between two successive filters 24. As a result, the individual and successively cut filter sleeves are orientated opposite to each other so that each second filter sleeve 30 must be turned through 180 in order to permit an equally orientated delivery of all filter sleeves. This will be described subsequently.

In detail, the cutting device has a pair of tubes formed by an inlet tube 74 and an exit tube 75 through which the tubular sleeve 28 passes. The two tubes 74 and 75 are disposed at a slight distance from each other and a knife 76 is guided between the said tubes transversely to the tubular sleeve 28. The knife 76 has a 6 crescent shape and one end is mounted on a pivoting pin 77, disposed parallel to the tubular sleeve 28; the knife 76 has a circular motion.

The two tubes 74, are mounted on a holder 78 which is associated with a crank drive 73. The transmission 79 ensures that during the cutting operation the pair of tubes 74, 75 performs a reciprocating motion which is axial relative to the tubular sleeve 28, the forward motion being performed at the same velocity as the conveying speed of the tubular sleeve 28 while the return motion is performed at an accelerated speed. The filter sleeves 30 are thus neatly cut from the tubular sleeve 28. Due to a twisting motion during the cutting operation, the knife 76 will follow the axial motion of the tube pair 74, 75. It is advantageous for the cutting quality is the distance between the tubes 74, 75 is not substantially longer than the thickness of the knife 76.

To obtain a flawless cut, it is also advantageous if the pivot axis of the knife is inclined at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the tubular filter sleeve 28 so that the motion thereof in the tube is not completely stopped by virtue of the helical cutting operation thus formed. The pair of tubes 74, 75 moves slightly with the knife cutting edge.

The cut filter sleeves 30 subsequently move into a tube 80 which may be pivoted about an axis into two limiting positions, and are ejected by the tubular sleeve 28, due to the follow-up motion thereof, on to two conveyor belts 81 and 82. Pivoting of the tube 80 is controlled by a disc cam 83 through a tappet 84 which is hinged to the tube 80, the tappet being kept in physical contact with the disc cam by means of a tension spring 85.

The filter sleeves 30 delivered on the conveyor belt 82 are orientated at an angle of relative to the filter sleeves 30 which are delivered on the conveyor belt 81. In order to have a uniformly orientated delivery of all filter sleeves 30 in the magazine, the filter sleeves 30 of the conveyor belt 82 are conducted on to a turnover disc 88 and after being turned through 180 thereon, they are delivered adjacent to and in the same orientation as the other filter sleeves on a second delivery belt 89, disposed in parallel to the first delivery belt, to be supplied toa magazine.

The apparatus of the invention is suitable for the efficient production of round cigarette sleeves with tip covering and adhesively secured filter, the sleeves having a very precise diameter and having a seam which is neatly adhesively fixed, is straight and is smooth. The use of double filters enables a very large output of filter sleeves to be achieved within a specific time.

The apparatus will of course operate with a high degree of efficiency even when using individual filters.

It is also possible to produce cigarette filter sleeves without a tip covering. The tip covering apparatus could then be omitted, a feature which would additionally simplify the construction of the apparatus.

We claim:

1. A method of producing cigarette filter sleeves each having a filter at one end and a hollow elongated tube for the receipt of tobacco, comprising the steps of sequentially feeding a substantially endless paper. tape to an endless moulding belt moving in a longitudinal path, feeding individual filters to one side of the tape at uniformly spaced positions therealong,

applying an adhesive to at least one of said paper tape or filters, and thereafter adhering said filters to said tape,

closing the edge portion in to form a continuous hollow tubular sleeve having filters secured to the interior thereof at uniform intervals therealong, and

cutting the continuous tubular sleeve adjacent each filter into individual cigarette filter sleeves having an elongated hollow tube.

2. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the filters are fed to the tape by drawing them from a supply container by means of air at sub-atomospheric pressure, conveying them to the paper tape in axially adjacent relationship by means of air at super-atmospheric pressure, and applying them to the tape at uniformly spaced positions.

3. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the filters adhered to the tape are single filters, and the continuous sleeve is cut at the end of each filter.

4. A method as claimed in claim I, wherein the filters adhered to the tape are double filters, and the continuous sleeve is cut in the middle of each filter.

5. Apparatus for producing cigarette filter sleeves having a filter at one end and hollow tube adapted to receive tabacco, the apparatus comprising means for feeding a substantially endless paper tape,

means for feeding filters to one side of the tape at uniformly spaced positions therealong said space corresponding to the length of the tabacco tube,

means for adhering said filters to said tape at said spaced positions,

means for wrapping the tape into a continuous tube successively adhered filters and alternating hollow tubular sections with the exception of a longitudinal projecting edge portion of the tape, the wrapping means including an endless, circulating moulding belt for feeding the tape and means for driving the moulding belt,

means for applying an adhesive to the projecting edge portion of said tape,

means for closing the edge portion of said tape in to form a continuous tubular sleeve having alternating filters and hollow tube, and

means for cutting the continuous tubular sleeve adjacent the filter into individual cigarette filter sleeves.

6. Apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein the means for feeding filters to one side of the tape comprises a supply container for the filters, a rotatable wheel having at least one driver on the periphery thereof for taking up filters coming from the supply container and conveying them to the tape, and means for driving the wheel so that the driver moves in synchronism with the tape.

7. Apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein the feeding means comprises a device for pressing a respective filter against a bearing surface of said driver, which device projects into the path of movement of the filters conveyed by the wheel, adjacent the position at which the filters are placed on the tape.

8. Apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein the pressing device comprises a leaf spring arm for bearing resiliently on the respective filter.

9. Apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein the wheel has a circumferentially-extending groove, at least adjacent the driver(s), and the adhering means comprises a stripper adjacent the position at which the successive filters are placed on the tape, for extending into the groove and stripping the filters off the wheel.

I 10. Apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein the distance between the stripper and the path of the tape is slightly smaller than the filter diameter to enable the successive filters to be pressed on to the tape by the stripper.

11. Apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein the feeding means comprises a supply container for the filters, a tube for discharging successive filters from the supply container, air inlet ports distributed radially around the tube, at an acute angle to the axis of the tube, for forming a sub-atmospheric pressure at the inlet to the tube, drawing successive filters into the tube, and blowing the filters on down the tube, air discharge ports beding disposed in the side wall of the tube downstream of the air inlet ports.

12. Apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein the wrapping means comprises a shaping section having a funnel mouthpiece into which the moulding belt passes together with the paper tape, and a presser member for engaging successive filters and pressing them and the tape against the moulding belt.

13. Apparatus as claimed in claim 12, wherein the presser member is a strip whose edge nearest to the tape is inclined with respect to the conveying direction and has a smooth surface.

14. Apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein the ,adhesive applying means comprises a rotatable disc for applying adhesive to the edge portion of the tape.

15. Apparatus as claimed in claim 14, wherein the rotatable disc is of frusto-conical form, the adhesive applying means comprising an applicator for applying a narrow circumferential strip of adhesive to the middle of the periphery of the disc, and a spring-biased thrusting device for thrusting the projecting edge portion of the tape against the periphery of the rotatable disc.

16. Apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein the edge portion closing means comprises a seam shaper and seam smoother for final shaping of the continuous tubular sleeve.

17. Apparatus as claimed in claim 16, wherein the seam shaper comprises two cylindrical half shells aligned with the conveying direction and forming a flared inlet, one half shell being vertically adjustable relative to the other.

18. Apparatus as claimed in claim 16, wherein the seam smoother comprises a vertically adjustably disposed spring-loaded arm whose end nearest to the tubular sleeve is bent in scoop-shape, for bearing with slight pressure on the glued seam of the continuous tubular sleeve, and a cylindrical half shell aligned with the conveying direction, for guiding the continuous tubular sleeve.

19. Apparatus as claimed in claim 5, and further comprising drying or setting means through which the continuous tubular sleeve is passed to dry or set the adhesive.

20. Apparatus as claimed in claim 19, wherein the drying or setting'rneans comprises a chamber having two cylindrical half shells alinged with the conveying direction, of which one half shell is vertically adjustable and at least one half shell has heating means.

21. Apparatus as claimed in claim 19, wherein the temperature of the drying means is manually adjustable, the drying means further comprising a temperature regulator forautomatically regulating the temperature within a defined range.

22. Apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein the cutting means comprises an inlet and an exit tube through which the sleeve passes, and a knife guided transversely between the inlet and exit tubes.

23. Apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein the knife is of crescent shape, one end thereof being supported so as to move transversely to the-continuous tubular sleeve, the knife being pivoted on a shaft which .is roughly parallel to the path of the continuous tubular sleeve, the inlet and exit tubes being axially movable and the cutting means also comprising means for reciprocating the inlet and exit tubes so that they move at the same speed as the continuous tubular sleeve during cutting, the knife having a twisting motion during cutting so that it follows the axial motion of the inlet and exit tubes during cutting.

24. Apparatus as claimed in claim 23, wherein the said shaft is skewed relative to the longitudinal axis of the inlet and exit tubes.

25. Apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein the means for adhering filters to one side of the tape is for adhering double filters to one side of the tape, the cutting means being for cutting the sleeve in the middle of each filter, the cutting means being followed by means into the same orientapivoting means comprises a disc cam for pivoting the tube after the delivery of one filter sleeve.

28. Apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein the wrapping means comprises a shaping section having a funnel mouthpiece into which the moulding belt passes together with the paper tape, and a presser member for engaging successive filters and pressing them and the tape against the moulding belt, wherein the adhesive applying means comprises a rotatable disc for applying adhesive to the edge portion of the tape, wherein the edge portion closing means comprises a seam shaper and seam smoother for final shaping of the-continuous tubular sleeve, wherein the cutting means comprises an inlet and exit tube through which the sleeve passes, and a knife guided transversely between the inlet and exit tubes, and wherein the means for adhering filters to one side of the tape is for adhering double filters to one side of the tape, the cutting means being for cutting the sleeve in the middle of each filter, the cutting means being followed by means for bringing all the filter sleeves into the same orientation. 

1. A method of producing cigarette filter sleeves each having a filter at one end and a hollow elongated tube for the receipt of tobacco, comprising the steps of sequentially feeding a substantially endless paper tape to an endless moulding belt moving in a longitudinal path, feeding individual filters to one side of the tape at uniformly spaced positions therealong, applying an adhesive to at least one of said paper tape or filters, and thereafter adhering said filters to said tape, passing said moulding belt through wrapping means to continuously wrap the tape into a substantially cylindrical tube having a longitudinal projecting edge portion, applying an adhesive to the projecting edge portion, closing the edge portion in to form a continuous hollow tubular sleeve having filters secured to the interior thereof at uniform intervals therealong, and cutting the continuous tubular sleeve adjacent each filter into individual cigarette filter sleeves having an elongated hollow tube.
 2. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the filters are fed to the tape by drawing them from a supply container by means of air at sub-atomospheric pressure, conveying them to the paper tape in axially adjacent relationship by means of air at super-atmospheric pressure, and applying them to the tape at uniformly spaced positions.
 3. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the filters adhered to the tape are single filters, and the continuous sleeve is cut at the end of each filter.
 4. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the filters adhered to the tape are double filters, and the continuous sleeve is cut in the middle of each filter.
 5. Apparatus for producing cigarette filter sleeves having a filter at one end and hollow tube adapted to receive tabacco, the apparatus comprising means for feeding a substantially endless paper tape, means for feeding filters to one side of the tape at uniformly spaced positions therealong said space corresponding to the length of the tabacco tube, means for adhering said filters to said tape at said spaced positions, means for wrapping the tape into a continuous tube successively adhered filters and alternating hollow tubular sections with the exception of a longitudinal projecting edge portion of the tape, the wrapping means including an endless, circulating moulding belt for feeding the tape and means for driving the moulding belt, means for applying an adhesive to the projecting edge portion of said tape, means for closing the edge portion of said tape in to form a continuous tubular sleeve having alternating filters and hollow tube, and means for cutting the continuous tubular sleeve adjacent the filter into individual cigarette filter sleeves.
 6. Apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein the means for feeding filters to one side of the tape comprises a supply container for the filters, a rotatable wheel having at least one driver on the periphery thereof for taking up filters coming from the supply container and conveying them to the tape, and means for driving the wheel so that the driver moves in synchronism with the tape.
 7. Apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein the feeding means comprises a device for pressing a respective filter against a bearing surface of said driver, which device projects into the path of movement of the filters conveyed by the wheel, adjacent the position at which the filters are placed on the tape.
 8. Apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein the pressing device comprises a leaf spring arm for bearing resiliently on the respective filter.
 9. Apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein the wheel has a circumferentially-extending groove, at least adjacent the driver(s), and the adhering means comprises a stripper adjacent the position at which the successive filters are placed on the tape, for extending into the groove and stripping the filters off the wheel.
 10. Apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein the distance between the stripper and the path of the tape is slightly smaller than the filter diameter to enable the successive filters to be pressed on to the tape by the stripper.
 11. Apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein the feeding means comprises a supply container for the filters, a tube for discharging successive filters from the supply container, air inlet ports distributed radially around the tube, at an acute angle to the axis of the tube, for forming a sub-atmospheric pressure at the inlet to the tube, drawing successive filters into the tube, and blowing the filters on down the tube, air discharge ports beding disposed in the side wall of the tube downstream of the air inlet ports.
 12. Apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein the wrapping means comprises a shaping section having a funnel mouthpiece into which the moulding belt passes together with the paper tape, and a presser member for engaging successive filters and pressing them and the tape against the moulding belt.
 13. Apparatus as claimed in claim 12, wherein the presser member is a strip whose edge nearest to the tape is inclined with respect to the conveying direction and has a smooth surface.
 14. Apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein the adhesive applying means comprises a rotatable disc for applying adhesive to the edge portion of the tape.
 15. Apparatus as claimed in claim 14, wherein the rotatable disc is of frusto-conical form, the adhesive applying means comprising an applicator for applying a narrow circumferential strip of adhesive to the middle of the periphery of the disc, and a spring-biased thrusting device for thrusting the projecting edge portion of the tape against the periphery of the rotatable disc.
 16. Apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein the edge portion closing means comprises a seam shaper and seam smoother for final shaping of the continuous tubular sleeve.
 17. Apparatus as claimed in claim 16, wherein the seam shaper comprises two cylindrical half shells aligned with the conveying direction and forming a flared inlet, one half shell being vertically adjustable relative to the other.
 18. Apparatus as claimed in claim 16, wherein the seam smoother comprises a vertically adjustably disposed spring-loaded arm whose end nearest to the tubular sleeve is bent in scoop-shape, for bearing with slight pressure on the glued seam of the continuous tubular sleeve, and a cylindrical half shell aligned with the conveying direction, for guiding the continuous tubular sleeve.
 19. Apparatus as claimed in claim 5, and further comprising drying or setting means through which the continuous tubular sleeve is passed to dry or set the adhesive.
 20. Apparatus as claimed in claim 19, wherein the drying or setting means comprises a chamber having two cylindrical half shells alinged with the conveying direction, of which one half shell is vertically adjustable and at least one half shell has heating means.
 21. Apparatus as claimed in claim 19, wherein the temperature of the drying means is manually adjustable, the drying means further comprising a temperature regulator for automatically regulating the temperature within a defined range.
 22. Apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein the cutting means comprises an inlet and an exit tube through which the sleeve passes, and a knife guided transversely betWeen the inlet and exit tubes.
 23. Apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein the knife is of crescent shape, one end thereof being supported so as to move transversely to the continuous tubular sleeve, the knife being pivoted on a shaft which is roughly parallel to the path of the continuous tubular sleeve, the inlet and exit tubes being axially movable and the cutting means also comprising means for reciprocating the inlet and exit tubes so that they move at the same speed as the continuous tubular sleeve during cutting, the knife having a twisting motion during cutting so that it follows the axial motion of the inlet and exit tubes during cutting.
 24. Apparatus as claimed in claim 23, wherein the said shaft is skewed relative to the longitudinal axis of the inlet and exit tubes.
 25. Apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein the means for adhering filters to one side of the tape is for adhering double filters to one side of the tape, the cutting means being for cutting the sleeve in the middle of each filter, the cutting means being followed by means for bringing all the filter sleeves into the same orientation.
 26. Apparatus as claimed in claim 25, wherein said bringing means comprises a tube pivotable into two limiting positions, the pivotal tube being for receiving the cut cigarette filter sleeves, two conveyors, means for pivoting the pivotal tube to deliver the cut cigarette filter sleeves alternately onto the first and the second conveyor, and a turnover device for receiving cut cigarette filter sleeves from the second conveyor and turning them through 180*.
 27. Apparatus as claimed in claim 26, wherein the pivoting means comprises a disc cam for pivoting the tube after the delivery of one filter sleeve.
 28. Apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein the wrapping means comprises a shaping section having a funnel mouthpiece into which the moulding belt passes together with the paper tape, and a presser member for engaging successive filters and pressing them and the tape against the moulding belt, wherein the adhesive applying means comprises a rotatable disc for applying adhesive to the edge portion of the tape, wherein the edge portion closing means comprises a seam shaper and seam smoother for final shaping of the continuous tubular sleeve, wherein the cutting means comprises an inlet and exit tube through which the sleeve passes, and a knife guided transversely between the inlet and exit tubes, and wherein the means for adhering filters to one side of the tape is for adhering double filters to one side of the tape, the cutting means being for cutting the sleeve in the middle of each filter, the cutting means being followed by means for bringing all the filter sleeves into the same orientation. 